15 women who smashed all stereotypes in Bollywood

Showbiz is believed to be a man’s world, but it’s the women who make it tick. We’re not talking about the battle of the sexes here. It’s not some ‘pink revolution’ that we’re talking about either. Rather, these women from the Hindi film industry are like the Amazonian warriors. Fearless, feisty and ethereal. They have proved their mettle at the box-office and have carved out their identity not just in the acting space, but as people wielding power and enjoying a rock-solid position. If the Khans are superstars these ladies are in a league of their own. Names like Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Priyanka Chopra and Deepika Padukone have even transcended to international stardom. A feat that our desi heroes still can’t lay claim to. Resilient girls like Madhuri Dixit, Kajol and Kareena Kapoor Khan have commanded equal respect through their long and illustrious careers. Go-getters like Rani Mukerji and Anushka Sharma have secured their place as power producers in the film industry. These women have defied the norms and changed the orthodox wheels of the system. Here’s an exclusive list of all contemporary leading ladies from Hindi cinema, who still rock their world. These women define the phrase, girl power!

Rani Mukherjee

Rani Mukerji (Fire ‘N’ Ice)

Her debut film Raja Ki Aayegi Baraat (1997) was rejected by the audience but she bounced back with Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998), Saathiya (2002), Yuva (2004), Hum Tum (2004) and Veer-Zaara (2004). She created history when she won both the Filmfare Best Actor In a Supporting Role (Female) and Filmfare Best Actor (Female), the same year for Yuva and Hum Tum respectively. She reached the pinnacle of her prowess with Black (2005), where she played a character based on Helen Keller. Though her popularity began to wane post 2007, she bounced back with films like No One Killed Jessica, (2011). Her portrayal of a mother saddened by the loss of her child in Talaash (2012) won her plaudits. Her role in Mardaani (2014), of a cop who beats the system-, won acclaim as well. She’s been known to be associated with several charities, prominently Shiksha, a programme for unprivileged children. Marriage and motherhood haven’t dampened her enthusiasm as she will soon be back with Hichki. That she’s husband Aditya Chopra’s better half even at Yash Raj Films is yet another dimension to her personality.

Tabu

Tabu (Amazon Girl)

She’s one actor who has managed to walk the tightrope between art and mart cinema. While she had Hera Pheri or Chachi 420 on one hand, she had Astitva and Iruvar on the other. And she not only excelled in Hindi cinema but made her mark in Malayalam, Tamil, and Telugu cinemas and even Hollywood with The Namesake (2006). She was one of Gulzar’s favourites, portraying layered characters in Maachis (1996) and Hu Tu Tu (1999). The legacy continued with Gulzar’s protege Vishal Bhardwaj in films like Maqbool (2003) and Haider (2014). While most actresses would have hesitated to play a bar dancer, she made the role her own in Chandni Bar (2001) and won a National Award for the same. Her unconventional choices came to the fore with Cheeni Kum (2007), where she played Amitabh Bachchan’s love interest, despite being half his age. Her journey continues in films like Drishyam (2015) and Talvar (2015). Good news is that she’s making a comeback to comedy with Golmaal Again (2017).

Kangana Ranaut

Kangana Ranaut (Goddess Of Grit)

Kangana Ranaut’s journey to the top of the marquee deserves its own motion picture. She came from a small town in Himachal Pradesh, had a brief stint as a model in Delhi, and at just 20, she made a debut with Gangster. In the next 10 years, Kangana’s journey has been that of grit. She put abusive relationships and media criticism behind her and continued to chip away into the big bad world of glamour. Life In A Metro, Fashion and Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai allowed her to earn brownie points. And then came Tanu Weds Manu, which established Kangana as a fabulous performer. Queen in 2014 changed the way the world saw Kangana. Tanu Weds Manu Returns further consolidated her image as a star on her own trek. That she’s always been a rebel and enjoyed challenging the hegemony has only upped her mojo. Controversial, complex yet courageous, Kangana Ranaut is a born fighter.

Sonam Kapoor

Sonam Kapoor (Style & Substance)

She started out as an assistant to Sanjay Leela Bhansali in Black (2005) and initially wanted to become a director. But Bhansali convinced her to become an actor. Her debut film Saawariya with him may have bombed but the actress did manage to leave an impression. She tasted commercial success with I Hate Luv Storys (2010). By then, her highly evolved fashion sense was recognised and she became the face of various beauty and lifestyle brands, turning into a Cannes regular over the years. Raanjhanaa (2013) brought out the best in her. She played a young woman so much maddened by grief that she plots to get the object of her hatred killed. She followed that up with a frothy performance in Khoobsurat (2014), her home production. It was her life-like performance in Neerja (2016) that made her detractors eat humble pie. She walked away with the Filmfare trophy for her bravura portrayal of an airhostess, who went beyond the call of duty in safeguarding the passengers of the hijacked plane.

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan (Queen Bee)

Her big debut, Mani Ratnam’s Iruvar had released back in 1997. Her biggest successes Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam and Devdas were in 1999 and 2002 respectively. Even Dhoom 2 and Jodhaa Akbar are now nearly a decade old. And all through, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan has exhibited extraordinary grace, not just as an actress, but as woman as well. First, her humanitarian efforts with United Nations and her ethereal glamour at Cannes put her on the world stage. She made a mark in Western cinema with films like Provoked, Pink Panther 2 and Bride & Prejudice. She even conquered the fashion world with her associations with brands like L’Oreal and Longines. She slipped into motherhood with equal elegance. Forget that, she put ‘body shamers’ to shame with the dignity with which she handled the new phase of her life. Well into her 40s now, Aishwarya continues to challenge her craft by working in movies like Sarbjit and Ae Dil Hai Mushkil. An ageless wonder, she’s a global icon and a timeless classic.